I’m a perfectionist – loosely. I think that’s why I’ve never started a blog of my own. Until now.
Blogging itself is a growing experience for me – to learn that not every post has to be earth shattering. Not every post needs to “grip the reader” (thanks Writing 101). Not every post needs to seem like an entire prepared sermon. It’s to share my current thoughts and feelings with those who care enough to take the time to read them. Like my mom.
If you know me, you know that I’m the guy who likes to plan. On vacations I use tripit.com religiously to make sure I have each day and event planned to the minute – with addresses and confirmation numbers to boot. In the office, I’ve planned our tech out for the next year-and a half. Professionally, I’ve got my 5-year plan and my 10-year plan (or at least I did). So for me these past two months since I’ve been accepted to the World Race have ALREADY been an emotional process. Excitement, nerves, second-guessing, excitement, severely second-guessing, awe, satisfaction, determination. So of course I have my checklist of things to wrap-up while still here in New York: end my lease, tell my office I’m leaving, write my support letters, plan fundraising ideas (of which there will be two events! More on that later), order free business cards from Vista Print with my blog on it, record a fundraising video, etc. Every time I mark one of those off, it gets more and more real, and to be honest, scary. Who in their right mind leaves a great job at the beginning of their professional career? Leaves a city they they’ve sacrificed so much to be in? Leaves a 9′ x 9′ shoebox apartment (well that one is going to be easy)? Leaves friends they’ve known for almost half a decade? Moves back in with their parents for 2 months in preparation for a mission trip that’s only partly funded? Me.
And I don’t see it as leaving so much as I see it as growing. I’ve been kicked and challenged just about every month I’ve lived here. And I’d do it all over again. Now I won’t go on a rant about how much I love it here, but I do bring it up as a testament to how serious the World Race is for me. I’m growing. And I want to continue to grow into the man I am meant to be. I believe in this cause. I want to change the world. But I can’t change anything until I am changed first.
On the Calendar:
- Wednesday April 2nd: 7pm Fundraising Event with Raffles at People Lounge. 163 Allen St, New York, NY 10002. Suggested $20 at the door. 1 free drink and raffle tickets for all attendees.
- Friday April 25th: Last day at the office
- **Tuesday April 29th: Goal of $10,000 reached???**
- Wednesday April 30th: Move back to Orlando, FL
- Sunday May 11th: Mother’s Day – also my deadline for buying all gear – tent, backpack, etc.
- Saturday May 17th: Training Camp for the World Race
- **Monday June 30th: Goal of $15,000 reached???**
- July 2014: Launch
P.S. My office has asked that I refrain from posting on social media until it becomes public knowledge around the workplace that I will be leaving. So please email me, message me, text me, call me all that you want. But until I get the go-ahead please don’t post on my wall. Also, I’m sorry to any work buddies – Jordan, that I couldn’t tell you sooner and share this experience with you.
